McIlroy’s Quail Hollow Championship victory sealed the award in the eyes of the judging panel, which consisted of members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as radio and television commentators.

McIlroy, who will receive a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne as well as an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievement, produced a truly breathtaking performance at the Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina.

Having made the weekend action right on the cut line, he stormed through the field with a best of the day 66 on Saturday before a course record 62 on Sunday — a round which finished with six consecutive threes — saw him win by four strokes from Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. Tiger Woods missed the cut.

“I am thrilled to be recognised by The European Tour with this award, it really means a lot,” said McIlroy (pictured).

“I'm really looking forward to getting back to Europe and playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and I will play there as the reigning Golfer of the Month which will be really nice.

“The final round (at Quail Hollow) was one of those rounds you are never going to forget, to be honest. I was in such a good frame of mind going out that I knew I had a chance and there is no better feeling in the world than to go out and beat such a high quality field over such a good golf course.”

It is the second time that McIlroy has won The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award, the first being in January 2009 following his maiden European Tour triumph in the Dubai Desert Classic.

He joins South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els — winners of the January and March Awards respectively — and England’s Ian Poulter, who picked up the February Award, as candidates for The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year, which will be decided at the end of the season.

Related Content

How to Complain

If you have a complaint about the editorial content of the Belfast Telegraph or Sunday Life then contact the Editor here. If you are not satisfied with the response provided then you can contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation here

Your Comments

COMMENT RULES: Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator’s decision is final. It is Belfast Telegraph policy to close comments on court cases, tribunals and active legal investigations. We may also close comments on articles which are being targeted for abuse. Problems with commenting? customercare@belfasttelegraph.co.uk